17-monoesters of 17alpha, 21-dihydroxy steroids and process for the preparation thereof



United States Patent 3,152,154 17-MONGESTERS 8F 1711,2141) t =1 ROXY TE- RQIDS AND EKGCESS F011 THE PREPARA- TiflN TBEREGF Alberto Ercoii, Milan, and Rinaldo Gardi, Qarate Brianza, Milan, Italy, assignors to Francesco Visinara S.p.A., Casatenovo (Como), itaiy, a corporation of italy No Drawing. Filed June 11, 1962, Ser. No. 201,297 Claims priority, application Italy, June 24, 1961, 11,659/ 61 22 Claims. (Cl. zen-397.45)

The present invention relates to novel 17a-acyloXy-2lhydroxy steroids of the pregnane series and to a method of preparing the same. More particularly this invention relates to a method of converting a 17a,21-(1'-alkoxy)- 1'-substituted methylenedioxy steroid of the pregnane selies to a corresponding l7a-acyloxy-2l-hydroxy steroid of the pregnane series.

The conventional procedures for esterification of a 170:,21-dlhYdI0XY steroid usually lead to a 21-acyloxy derivative or, when more drastic conditions are employed, to the corresponding 17a,2l-diacyloxy steroid. A method is not known for selectively acylating in a 17a,21-dihydroxy steroid, the tertiary hydroxy group at the 17-position in the presence of the primary hydroxy group at the 21-position. On the other hand means have not'been disclosed for selectively hydrolyzing an acyloxy group at the 21-position in a l7a,21-diacyloxy steroid. Therefore, 17- monoesters of l7cc,2l-dioxygenated steroids of the pregnane series have been inaccessible up to now.

We have found that such l7a-acyloxy-2l-hydroxy derivatives are now obtainable by subjecting 17,21- (1-alkoXy)-l'-substituted methylenedioxy steroids of the pregnane series to acid hydrolysis.

The invention thus provides a new series of 17-monoesters of 17a,21-dihydroXy-20-keto pregnanes having at the 17-position the structure:

CHzOH where R is a member selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals containing from 1 to 9 carbon atoms, cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon radicals of from 4 to 6 carbon atoms, arylaliphatic hydrocarbon radicals having 7 or 8 carbon atoms, phenyl, fl-carboxy-ethyl and ,B-carbomethoxy-ethyl.

According to our invention the 17-monoesters of 17a,21-dihydroxy steroids are obtained by hydrolysis of the corresponding 17a,21-(1-alkoxy)-l'-substituted met; ylenedioxy steroids of the pregnane series having at the 17, 20 and 21-positions the structure:

where R is as defined above and R represents a lower alkyl radical of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, inclusive, preferably a methyl or ethyl group.

The cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene nucleus which is not shown in the above formula is generally substituted at the 3-position with an oxygenated function, such as a keto group or a hydroay group. If a hydroxy group is present, it may be protected in the form of an ether group containing a lower alkyl radical of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or in the form of an ester group containing a lower alkanoyl radical of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a benzoyl 3,.l52,l54 Patented Qct. 6, 1964 "Ice radical. The steroid may also contain substituents such as hydroxy, keto, halogen, ether and methyl groups at other positions of the cyclopentanopolyhydrophenanthrene nucleus, as for instance at positions 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 16. The steroid may be completely saturated or have one or more double bonds, as for instance in the 1:2, 3:4, 4:5, 5:6 and/or 9:11 positions of the molecule. The substituents and the double bonds do not interfere with the present process for converting a 17cc,21-(1' alkoXy)-1-substituted methylenedioxy steroid of the pregnane series to the corresponding l7a-acyloxy-2l-hydroxy steroid.

The starting materials for our process are made by treating a l7a,21-dihydroXy-20-ketosteroid of the pregnane series with a lower alkyl ester of an orthocarboxylic acid of the formula RC(OR where R and R are as defined above, in the presence of an acid catalyst and in solution in an organic solvent at a temperature ranging from 60 C. to C., as described in our copending application Serial No. 201,295, filed on June 11, 1962.

As may be seen from the partial formulae above, the nature of the acyl radical R-CO of the l7a-acyloxy-2lhydroxy steroid, obtained by the process of this invention, depends on the particular orthoester with which the 17a,21-dihydroxy steroid is reacted. Thus for instance, if the methyl or ethyl ester of ortho-acetic acid is employed 17a,21-(methoxy or ethoxy)-ethylidenedioxy steroid is obtained which is converted according to the process of this invention to the corresponding 17a-acetoxy-2lhydroxy steroid.

Likewise, a l7a,2l-(ethoxy)-propylidenedioxy, :,21- (ethoxy)-butylidenedioxy, 170:,21 (ethoxy)-pentylidenedioxy, 17a,2l-(ethoxy)-hexylidenedioxy, or a 1704,2141- methoXy-3'-carboXy)-propylidenedioxy steroid compound may be obtained by the reaction of the 17a,21-dihydroxy compound with ethylorthopropionate, ethylorthobutyrate, ethylorthovalerate, ethylorthocaproate or fl-carboxy methylorthopropionate and converted by acid hydrolysis to the l7a,2l-dihydroxy, 17-propionate, l7-butyrate, 17- valerate, 17-caproate, l7-hemisuccinate, respectively.

Exemplary of 17a,21-(1'-alkoXy)-1'-substituted methylenedioxy steroids which are converted by our process to l7oc-ZlCYlOXY-2l-l1YdIOXY steroids are:

17a,21-(1-methoxy)-ethylidenedioxy 4 pregame-3,20-

dione;

l7a,2l-(l-methoxy)-pentylidenedioxy 4pregnene-3,20

dione;

17,21 (1' methoxy) ethylidenedioxy 4 pregnene- 3 ,1 1,20-trione;

17u,21-(1--1ethoXy)-ethylidenedioXy 4 pregnene-ILB- ol-3,20-dione;

17a,2l-(1-methoxy)-pentylidenedioxy 4 pregnene-1l,8-

ol-3,20-dione;

17a,21-(1'-methoxy)-ethylidenedioxy 1,4 pregnadiene- 3 ,11,20-trione;

17a,21-(1'-methoxy)-pentylidenedioxy 1,4 pregnadiene- 3,11,20-trione;

17u,21-(1'-m6tl1OXY-3' carboxy) propylidenedioxy-l,4-

pregnadiene-3, 1 1,20-trione;

17a,21-( l'methoxy)-ethylidenedioxy 1,4 pregnadiene- 1l,8-ol-3,20-dione;

17a,2l-(1'-methoxy)-pentylidenedioxy 1,4 pregnadiene- 11,8-01-3 ,ZO-dione;

17 a,21-(1'-methoxy)-hexylidenedioxy 1,4 pregnadiene- 11fi-ol-3,20-dione;

17a,21-(l'-methoxy)-heptylidenedioxy 1,4 pregnadiene-l 1 6-ol-3,20-dione;

17a,2l-(l'-rnethoXy-3' carboxy) propylidenedioxy-IA- pregnadiene- 1B-ol-3,20-dione;

17a,2 l-( 1-rnethoxy) -ethylidenedioxy-9u-fluoro-l ,4-pregnadiene-l1,8-ol-3,20-dione;

l7a,2l-(1-methoxy)-ethylidenedioxy-5a-pregnane-B l l 13- diol-ZO-one;

17a,21-(1-methoxy)-ethylidenedioxy-5u-pregnane-11,8-

ol-3,20-dione;

3B-ethoxy-17 11,2 1-( 1'-methoxy) -ethylidenedioxya-pre gnane-ZO-one;

17a,21-(1-methoxy)-ethylidenedioxy-5e-pregnane-3,1l,

20-trionc;

17a,21-( l-methoxy)-ethylidenedioxy-4,9(11)-pregnadiene-3,20-dione;

170:,2 l-( 1'-ethoxy) -benzylidenedioxy-4-chloro-5 ct-pregname-3,20-dione;

17a,21-( l'-propoxy) -iso-pentylidenedioxy-4-brom0-5apregnane-3,20-dione;

17ix,21-( l'-methoxy) -propylidenedioxySa-pregnanel- 01-3 ,ZO-dione 170:,2 1-( 1-ethoxy) -butylidenedioxy-6-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-l1,8-ol-3,20-dione;

170:,2 l-( l-methoxy) -butylidenedioxy-6-fluoro-4-pregnene-3,l 1,20-trione;

17a,2l-( 1'-ethoxy) -pentylidenedioxy-19-nor-4-pregnenel1,8-ol-3,20-dione;

17a,21-( l-ethoxy) -ethylidenedioxy-4-pregnene-6-ol- 3,20-dione;

170:,2 l-( l'-methoxy) -hexylidenedioxy-4-preguene-6,l 1,8-

diol-3 ,ZO-dione;

17a,21-(1-methoxy)-octylidenedioxy-16fi-methyl-L4- pregnadiene-l l 3-ol-3,2O-dione;

170 2 1-( 1'-iso-propoxy) -ethylidenedioxy-9u-fluoro-16amethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-1 1 fl-ol-3,20-dione 17oc,2 1-( l'-methoxy) -ethylidenedioxy-9a-chloro-4-pregnene-11B-ol-3,20-dione;

17 0:,2 1-( 1-methoxy) -pentylidenedioxy-2a-methyl-4-pregnene-3 ,1 1,20-trione;

17a,21-( 1'-ethoxy)-decylidenedioxy-l,4-pregnadiene-l15- ol-3,20-dione;

l70c,2 l-( 1'-methoxy) -benzylidenedioxy-1,4-preg'nadiene- 3,11,20-trione;

170:,2 1-( l'-methox -1'-cyclopentyl)-methylenedioxy-4- pregnene-3,l1,20-trione;

17rx,21( 1'-ethoxy-3'-phenyl -propylidenedioxy-4-pregnene-3 ,1 1,20-trione;

17a,21-( l-methoxy-1'-cyclobutyl) -methylenedioxy-4- pregnene-3, 1 1,20-trione;

17a,2 l-( 1'-ethoxy) -hexahydrobenzylidenedioxyl-pregnene-3,20-dione;

17a,2 l-( 1-methoxy) -cynnamylidenedioxyr-pregnene- 11/3-ol-3,20-dione;

17a,21-( 1'-methoxy) -pentylidenedioxy-9a-fluoro-1,4-

pregnadiene-l1B,16a-diol-3,20-dione.

In carrying out the process of this invention the 170:,21- (l-alkoxy)-1'-substituted-methylenedioxy steroid of the pregnane series suspended or dissolved in an organic reaction medium, is treated with an aqueous acid, which may be a mineral acid or an organic acid. The acid reagent may be dilute or concentrated. Preferred mineral acids are hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, boric acid, perchloric acid, hydrochloric acid being particularly preferred. The organic acids may be selected from formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, chloroacetic acid, oxalic acid and malonic acid, oxalic acid being preferred.

The organic reaction medium is preferably an alcohol, such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol and the like. Alternatively, aromatic hydrocarbon solvents, for instance, benzene or toluene, ethers, cycloalkanes or halogenated alkane solvents may advantageously be used as media for the reaction. Moreover an organic acid, itself, may be employed as both reaction medium and acid reagent.

The acid hydrolysis of the 17ot,2l-(1-alkoxy)-l'-sub stituted methylenedioxy steroid may be carried out at any temperaturebetween 0 and 100 C. but we prefer to use a temperature of from about 20 C. to about 80 C. The

reaction time can vary greatly depending on the reaction temperature as Well as on the particular nature of the steroid starting material and the acidic reagent employed. Generally, the reaction time is from a few minutes to about two hours at temperatures from about 20-80 C. Practically the sole product of the acid hydrolysis of a c,21-( 1'-alkoxy) -1 -substituted-methylenedioxy steroid is the corresponding l7a-acyloxy-2l-hydroxy derivative. Thus the product can be readily isolated from the reaction mixture by removing the solvent, preferably by evaporation under reduced pressure, and purifying the crystalline residue by recrystallization.

The structure of the 17oc-acyloxy-2l-hydroxy steroid was assigned on the basis of infrared spectra and confirmed by conversion to the corresponding 17a,21-diacyloxy derivative by mild acylation, thus obtaining a 17rx-2 1- diester identical With the product prepared by direct esterification of the corresponding 17a,2l-dihydroxy steroid.

Because of the presence of a free hydroxy group at the 21-position, the new 17oc-acyloxy-21-hydroxy steroids of the pregnane series are useful as intermediates for the preparation of physiologically active steroid compounds. For instance, the 21-hydroxy group can be substituted with halogen atoms, particularly chlorine or fluorine, according to known procedures, thus obtaining l7a-acyloxy- 21-chloro or fluoro steroids such as 17x-acyloxy-21- chloroor fluoro-progesterone and 6-methyl derivatives thereof which are very active as progestational agents.

Alternatively, the 21-hydroxy group may be replaced with a hydrogen atom by first treating the 17a-acyloxy-21- hydroxy steroid with p. toluensulfonic acid and then reacting the 21-tosylate with hydriodic acid to give the corresponding l7u-acyloxy-2l-desoxy steroid, such as 17aacyloxy progesterone. The esters of l7a-hydroxy progesterone are, in several cases, very difficult to prepare by direct acylation, particularly when the acyl group to be introduced in the 17-position is that of a higher molecu lar Weight aliphatic acid, such as valeric acid, caproic acid, oenanthic acid, caprylic acid and the like.

Furthermore, the 2l-hydroxy group of the 17a-acy1oxy- 21-hydroxy steroid may be acylated to give a 17a,21-diacyloxy derivative.

The possibility of acylating at the 21-position in the presence of a preformed l7a-acyloxy group permits the obtaining of mixed 17,21-diesters in which the acyl group at the 17-position is different from that introduced at the 21-position. For instance, cortisol l7a-valerate or prednisolone 17a-valerate can be converted by acetylation to cortisol 17a-valerate-21-acetate, or prednisolone 17w valerate-Zl-acetate. The mixed diesters increase the solubility of the steroid hormone in vegetable oils or lipid carriers for therapeutic purposes.

In addition to their utility as intermediates for the preparation of physiologically active steroid compounds, certain of the 17a-acyloxy, 2l-hydroxy-20-ketopregnanes of this invention are also useful for their hormonal properties. For instance, the 17-monoesters, particularly the 17-valerate of cortisone, cortisol, prednisone and prednisolone are very active as anti-inflammatory agents. Moreover, the 17-monoesters such as the l7-acetate, 17- valerate, 17-caproate and l7-hemisuccinate of 4-pregnenel7oc,2l-diol-3,20-dione and 9a-fluor0-1lfl-hydroxy derivatives thereof possess pronounced progestational activity.

The following examples are given for purposes of illustrating the invention, but are not to be construed as limiting the same:

Example 1 A solution of 1.5 g. of 17a,21-(1-methoxy)-ethylidenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione in 40 cc. of methanol is treated on a water bath at 3540 C. for approximately 10 minutes with 30 cc. of 2 N oxalic acid. The solvent is evaporated under reduced pressure and the resulting residue is crystallized from a small amount of methanol to give 4-pregnene-17a,2l-diol-3,20-dione 17-acetate, M. Pt. 205-206 C.; [u] =+31 (dioxan).

Example 2 1 g. of 17a,21-(1-methoxy)-pentylidenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione dissolved in 30 cc. of ethanol, is treated with 0.5 cc. of 2 N hydrochloric acid. After 5 minutes heating at 40 C., the resulting mixture is evaporated to give as a residue 4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,20-dione 17- valerate which upon recrystallization from ethanol melts at 115-118 C.; [u] =+33 dioxan). By employing as starting product, 17a,21-(1'-methoxy)-hexylidenedioxy-4- pregnene-3,20-dione, and following the same procedure as above, 4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,20-dione 17-caproate is obtained.

Example 3 To a solution of 400 mg. of 17a,21-(1'-methoxy-3'- carboxy)-propylidenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione in cc. of methanol are added 0.5 cc. of 2 N hydrochloric acid. After 5 minutes heating at'55 C., the solvent is evaporated and the residue, taken up with dilute ethanol, gives 4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,20-dione l7-hemisuccinate.

Following the same procedures as above and using 17:1,21 (1 methoxy) ethylidenedioxy-4,9(11)-pregnadiene-3,20-dione as starting product, 4,9(11)-pregnadiene-17a,21-diol-3,20-dione 17-acetate is obtained.

Example 4 2 g. of 17a,21-(1-methoxy)-ethylidenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,11-20-trione are dissolved in cc. of methanol and treated with 3 cc. of 1 N oxalic acid for one or two minutes at a temperature of C. The reaction diluent is evaporated, the residue is taken up with dilute methanol, and the impurities are eliminated by filtration. The mother liquors evaporated and taken up with acetonehexane, yield 4-pregnene-l7a,21-diol-3,11,20-trione 17- acetate, M. Pt. 1'94198 C.; [a] =+104 (dioxan).

The inflared spectrum of cortisone 17-acetate shows the typical bands of the acetate; moreover the shift of the bands of the carbonyl and 20-keto groups towards higher frequencies confirmed the presence of an acyloxy group adjacent to the 20-keto group. Since the new ester differs from the well known 21-ester, it is obviously the 170:- monoester.

By acylating 4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,11,20-trione 17- acetate with acetic anhydride in pyridine at room temperature, 4-pregnene-17a,2l-diol-3,l1,20-trione 17,21-diacetate is obtained. Since such acylation conditions do not usually affect the 17a-hydroxyl group, the starting product is a 17a-acetate. The resulting product, when mixed with an authentic specimen prepared by energic acylation of the l7a,21-dihydroxy steroid (R. B. Turner, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 75, 3489; 1953), does not show depression of the melting point.

Example 5 By subjecting a mixture consisting of 1 g. of 1712,21- l'-methoxy) -pentylidenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,l 1,20-trione in methanol and 0.5 cc. of 1 N hydrochloric acid to the reaction sequence described in Example 2, 4-pregnene- 17a,21-diol-3,11,20-trione 17-valerate is prepared.

Similarly, by substituting the hexylidenedioxy and 3'- phenylpropylidenedioxy derivatives for the pentylidenedioxy derivative, there are obtained 4-pregnene-l7u,21- diol-3,11,20-trione 17-caproate and 4-pregnene-17a,21- diol-3,1 1,20-trione 17 (B-phenyl propionate.

Example 6 2.5 g. of 17a,21-(1-methoxy)-ethylidenedioxy-4-pregnene-1lfi-ol-3,20-dione dissolved in 25 cc. of methanol are treated with 5 cc. of N/2 oxalic acid and heated for two minutes at 40 C. The resulting reaction mixture is evaporated and the residue is taken up with dilute methanol. After filtration the motor liquors are evaporated and a residue separates which taken up with acetone-hexane yields 1.5 g. of 4-pregnene-ll6,17a,21- triol-3,20-dione 17-acetate, M. Pt. 234237 C.; [a] =+5O (dioxan).

The substitution of an equivalent quantity of 170:,21- 1' propoxy) pentylidenedioxy 4 pregnene 115 o1- 3,20-dione in the process of this example results in 4- pregnene-llfi,17a,21-triol-3,21-dione 17-valerate, M. Pt. l59l6l C.; [ec] =|37 (dioxan).

Example 7 1.5 g. of 17a,2l-(1'-methoxy)-ethylidenedioxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,11,20-trione are treated with 20 cc. of methanolic 2 N acetic acid. The reaction mixture, heated at 25 C. for 5 minutes, is then evaporated to give as a residue l,4-pregnadiene-17a,21-diol-3,11,20-trione 17- acetate which, recrystallized from dilute methanol, melts at 193l95 C.; [a] =+86 (dioxan).

Similarly, 1,4-pregnadiene 1704,21 diol 3,11,20-trione 17-hernisuccinate, melting at 207-210" C.; [a] =+76 (dioxan), is prepared by subjecting 17a,21-(l'-methoxy- 3' carboxy) propylidenedioxy 1,4 pregnadiene- 3,11,20-trione to the procedure described above.

Example 8 1 g. of 17a,21-(1'-methoxy)-pentylidenedioxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,1l,20-trione dissolved in 25 cc. of dioxan is treated at room temperature with 30 cc. of N/ 10 sulfuric acid for 10 minutes. The reaction mixture is then evap orated under reduced pressure, the residue crystallized from a small amount of dilute methanol and 1,4-pregnadiene-17a,21-diol-3-l1,20-trione 17-valerate is obtained in quantitative yield, M. Pt. l9820l C.; [a] =-!70 dioxan).

By acylating the thus prepared compound with acetic anhydride in pyridine at room temperature 1,4-pregnadiene-17a,2l-diol-3,11,20-trione l7-valerate-21-acetate, M. Pt. 132-133 C.; [a] (dioxan), is obtained.

Example 9 To 3 cc. of methanol containing 300 mg. of 1701,21- (1 methoxy) ethylidenedioxy 1,4 pregnadiene ol-3,20-dione are added 0.5 cc. of 2 N oxalic acid and the mixture is heated at 40-50 C. for 5 minutes. The liquid is completely evaporated to obtain a solid residue which, taken up with dilute methanol, yields 240 mg. of crude product melting at 217-1223 C. This product is dissolved in dilute methanol and the impurities are eliminated by filtration. The motor liquors are evaporated and the product, recovered by filtration and crystallized from acetone-hexane, yields 1,4-pregnadiene-1lfi,l7a,2l-triol- 3,20-dione 17-acetate, M. Pt. 240-242 C.; [a] =+10 (dioxan).

Example 10 2 g. of 17 x,21-(l'-methoxy)-pentylidenedioXy-1,4- pregnadiene-llfi-ol-3,20-dione dissolved in 60 cc. of methanol are treated with 20 cc. of 2 N hydrochloric acid in methanol.

After standing for 10 minutes at room temperature, the mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue, crystallized from diluted methanol, yields 1,4- pregnadiene-ll 8,17a,21-triol-3,20-dione 17-valerate in quantitative yield. M. Pt. 2l0213 C.; [a] =+3.5 (dioxan).

Example 11 In the manner described in Example 2, 1 g. of :,21- (1' methoxy) hexylidenedioxy 1,4 pregnadiene- 11fi-ol-3,20-dione in solution in 30 cc. of ethanol is treated with 15 cc. of N/ 10 hydrochloric acid in methanol. The resultant product is isolated in the described manner and crystallized from ethanol to give 1,4-pregnadiene-l1;3,17a,2l-triol-3,20-dione 17-caproate, M. Pt. 169-171 C.; [a] =1.5 (dioxan).

Similarly, by substituting an equivalent quantity of 1712,21 (l' methoxy) heptylidenedioxy 1,4 pregnadiene-l1fi-ol-3,20-dione and treating with a phosphoric acid solution according to normal procedure, 1,4-pregnadiene-l1,8,17a,21-trio1-3,20-dione 17-oenanthate is obtained.

7 In a similar manner, starting from the corresponding 17a,21 (1' methoxy 3' carboxy) propylidenedioxy- 1,4-pregnadiene-l 1,8-01-3 ,20-dione, 1,4-pregnadiene-l1fl, 17u, 21-triol-3,20-dione 17-hemisuccinate melting at 211- 213 C.; [a] =+15 (dioxan) is prepared.

Example 12 A solution of 3 g. of 17a,21-(l'-methoxy)-ethylidenedioxy 90c fiuoro 1,4 pregnadiene 11B ol 3,20- dione in 50 cc. of tetrahydrofuran is treated at room temperature for 10 minutes With 40 cc. of a solution of boric acid in ethanol. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure and the residue, crystallized from ethanol, gives 90: fluoro 1,4 pregnadiene 11fi,17a,21 triol 3,20- dione 17-acetate, M. Pt. 232-235 C.; [a] =+l9 (dioxan). In like manner, 9a-fluoro-1,4-pregnadiene-l1 8,l7a,2ltriol-3,20-dione 17-valerate is prepared by starting with 17 01,2 1- 1 '-methoxy) -pentylidenedioxy 9a-fluoro-1,4-pregnadiene-l1,8-l-3,20-dione; 9a chloro 1,4 pregnadiene- 11B,17a,2l-t1l0l3,20-dl0116 17(5-phenyl)propionate is prepared starting from l7a,21-(1'-methoXy-3'-phenyl)- propylidenedioxy 90c chloro 1,4 pregnadiene 11,8- o1-3,20-dione and 9a-bromo-1,4-pregnadiene-llfi,17a,21- triol-3,20-dione 17-hexahydrobenzoa'te is prepared starting from 17a,2l-(1'-methoxy) hexahydrobenzylidenedioxy-9ot-bromo-1,4-pregnadiene-11fi-ol-3,20-dione.

Example 13 The treatment of l7a,21-(l-methoxy)-ethylidenedioxya-pregnane-3,l1,20-trione in chloroacetic acid solution,

by the above procedure yields 5a-pregnane-l7a,2l-diol- Example 14 To a solution of 0.5 g. of 3fl-ethoxy-17a,21-(1'-methoxy)-ethylidenedioxy-5a-pregnane-20-one in ethanol, are added 0.5 cc. of N/ 2 formic acid. The reaction mixture is heated at 35 C. for 5 minutes and the solvent removed by evaporation under reduced pressure. The crude product is crystallized from ethanol yielding 35- ethoxy-Swpregnane-lhfi1-diol-20-one 17-acetate.

When the starting product is 17u,21-(1'-ethoXy)-butyl idenedioxy 60c methyl 1,4 pregnadiene 115 ol- 3,20-dione the method described is followed, there is obtained 6a-rnethyl-l,4-pregnadiene-l lB,17 x,2l-triol 3,20- dione 17 -butyrate.

Similarly, 17a,2l-(1'-methoxy) pentylidenedioxy 2amethyl-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione is converted to 20- methyl-4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3 ,1 1,20-trione 17-valerate by hydrolysis with methanolic malonic acid.

Example 15 A mixture of 2.5 grof 17a,2l-(1'-ethoxy)-iso-butylidenediox -l-pregnene3,11,20-trione, cc. of benzene and 50 cc. of a solution of perchloric acid in methanol is heated at 20 C. and the solvent completely evaporated.- The residue, crystallized from ethanol, yields l-pregnene- 17a,21-diol-3,11,20-trione 17-isobutyrate.

Similarly, 17a,21(1'-p1'0p0XY) decylidenedioxy 4,6- pregnadiene-3,11,2O trione, 17a,21-(1'-methoXy) -octylidenedioxy 16p methyl 1,4 pregnadiene 11,8 ol- 3,20-dione and 17a,21-(1'-methoXy-2-phenyl)-ethylidenedioxy-16u-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-l l 5-01-3 ,20 dione are converted to 4,6-pregnadiene-17u,21-diol-3,11,20-trione l7-capronate, lop-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-11fi-ol-3,20-dione 17-caprylate and l6a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-l15-01- 3,20-dione 17-phenylacetate respectively.

Example 16 3.5 g. of 17a,21-(l-ethoxy)-benzylidenedioxy-4-chloro- 5a-pregnane-3,20-dione dissolved in 50 cc. of methanol are treated at room temperature for 5 minutes with 6 cc. of perchloric acid. The solvent is removed from the resulting mixture and the residue, taken up with methanol gives 4-ChlO10-5oc-PI6gI1311E-17 a,21-dlO1-3,20 dione 17- benzoate.

In the same manner as above and employing other 17 oc,21-( 1'-alkoxy)-1'-substituted-methylenedioxy steroids, the following compounds are produced:

4-bromo-5a-pregnane-l7u,21-dio1-3,20-dione 17-isovalerate;

5a-pregnane-4,17a,2l-triol-3,20-dione 17-propionate;

4-pregnene-6, 11B,17a,21-tetraol-3 ,ZO-dione 17-capronate;

6-fiuoro-4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,11,20-trione-17- butyrate;

4-pregnene-6,l7u,2l-triol-3,20-dione 17-acetate;

'9a-fiuoro-16a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-llfi,17a,2l-triol- 3,20-dione l7-acetate;

9a-cl1loro-4-pregnene-l1/3,17u,21-triol-3,20-dione 17-hexahydrobenzoate;

19-nor-4-pregnene-1 1,9, 17a,2 1-triol-3 ,20-dione 17-valerate;

3 fi-propoxy-S a-pregnene-17a,21=triol-20-one l7-propionate;

'5a-pregnane-3fi,17a,21-trio1-20-one 3-formate 17-valerate;

5a-pregnane-3fi,17a,2l-triol-20-one B-acetate 17-butyrate;

S-pregnene-BB,17a,21-triol-20-one 3-benzoate 17-acetate;

4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,20-dione 17-,8-carbomethoxypropionate;

9a-fluoro-4-pregnene-l lB,17a,21-triol-3 ,ZO-dione 17-valerate.

Example 17 50 mg. of 17a,2l-(l-methoXy)-pentylidenedioxy-9afluoro-l,4-pregnadiene-llB,16a-diol-3,20-dione are dissolved in 5 cc. of ethanol and the resulting mixture is treated with 0.5 cc. of oxalic acid at 40 C. for few minutes. Then the solvent is evaporated in vacuo and the residue taken up with dilute methanol yields 9a-fll1010- 1,4-pregnadiene-11/3,16a,17a,21 tetraol 3,20 dione 17- valerate.

We claim:

1. The process for preparing a 'l7a-acyloxy-2l-hydroxy- 20-keto-pregnane having at the 17-position the structure:

CH OH Where R is a member selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals of from 1 to 9 carbon atoms, cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon radicals of from 4 to 6 carbon atoms, arylaliphatic hydrocarbon radicals having at least 7 and no more than 8 carbon atoms, phenyl, fi-carboxyethyl and B-carbomethoxyethyl, which process comprises hydrolyzing in the presence of an acid, a 17a,21-(-l'-alkoxy)-1'-substituted methylenedioxy steroid having at the 17-position the structure:

in which R is as defined above and R represents lower alkyl of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

2. The process of claim 1 in which the acid is a mineral acid selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, boric acid, perchloric acid and hydrochloric acid.

3. The process of claim 1 in which the acid is an organic acid selected from the group consisting of formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, chloroacetic acid, oxalic acid and malonic acid.

4. The process of claim 1 in which the acid hydrolysis is carried out at a temperature within the range of 20 C.-80 C.

5. A process for preparing 1,4-pregnadiene-1 1,8,l7a,21- triol 3,20 dione 17 valerate comprising hydrolyzing 1706,21 (1' methoxy) n pentylidenedioxy 1,4 pregnadiene-l lB-ol-3,20-dione at a temperature Within the range of 20 C.-80 C. in the presence of hydrochloric acid.

6. A process for preparing 4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,20- dione 17-acetate comprising hydrolyzing 17a,21-(l'- methoxy) -ethylidenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione at a temperature Within the range of 20 C.-80 C. in the presence of oxalic acid.

7. A process for preparing 4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,20- dione 17-valerate comprising hydrolyzing l7a,2l-(1'- methoxy)-n-pentylidenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione at a temperature within the range of 20 C.80 C. in the presence of hydrochloric acid.

8. A process for preparing 4-pregnene-171x,21-diol-3,20- dione 17-hemisuccinate comprising hydrolyzing 1711,21- (1 methoxy 3' carboxy) propylidenedioxy 4 pregnene-3,20-dione at a temperature within the range of 20 C.-80 C. in the presence of hydrochloric acid.

9. A process for preparing 4-pregnene-17u,21-diol-3,20- dione 17-caproate comprising hydrolyzing 17a,21-(1'- methoxy)-n-hexylidenedioxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione at a temperature within the range of 20 C.80 C. in the presence of hydrochloric acid.

10. A compound selected from the group consisting of a steroid compound of the formula:

CHaOH where R is a member selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals of from 1 to 9 carbon atoms, cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon radicals of from 4 to 6 carbon atoms, arylaliphatic hydrocarbon radicals of at least 7 and no more than 8 carbon atoms, phenyl, fi-carboxyethyl and fi-carbomethoxyethyl, R is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, m-methyl, ,B-methyl and u-hydroxy, X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, ketonic oxygen and ,B-hydroxy, Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluoro, chloro and bromo, and W is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, methyl and hydroxy; and A -dehydro derivatives of said steroid compound.

Where R is a member selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals of from 1 to 9 carbon atoms, cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon radicals of from 4 to 6 carbon atoms, arylaliphatic hydrocarbon radicals of at least 7 and no more than 8 carbon atoms, phenyl, fi-carboxyethyl and fi-carbomethoxyethyl, R is a member selected from the group consisting of oxygen, a-hydroxy, fi-hydroxy, lower alkoXy of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, lower alkanoyloxy of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and benzoyloxy; R is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, chloro, bromo and hydroxy and X is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, ketonic oxygen and fi-hydroxy.

12. 4,9(11) pregnadiene 1761,21 diol 3,20 dione 17-acetate.

l3. 1 pregnene 1711,21 diol 3,11,20 trione 17- isobutyrate.

14. 19 nor 4 pregnene 1=lfl,l7a,21 triol 3,20- dione 17-valerate.

15. 4,6 pregnadiene 1711,21 diol 3,11,20 trione 17-capronate.

16. 9a fluoro 1,4 pregnadiene 11B,16oc,170c,21- tetraol-3,20-dione l7-valerate.

l7. Prednisolone 17-valerate.

18. 4-pregnene-l7u,21-diol-3,20-dione 17-acetate.

19. 4-pregnene-l7a,2l-diol-3,20-dione l7-valerate.

20. 4 pregnene 1701,21 diol 3,20 dione 17-hemisuccinate.

21. 4-pregnene-17a,21-diol-3,20-dione l7-caproate.

22. c fiuoro 4 pregnene 1113,17oc,21 triol 3,20- dione 17-valerate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,864,839 Fried Dec. 16, 1958 2,932,656 Day Apr. 12, 1960 2,971,886 Babcock Feb. 14, 1961 OTHER REFERENCES Gould et al.: I.A.C.S. 79, pp. 502-03 (1957).

Fieser et al.: Steroids, pp. 682, 691, 696 and 724, Reinhold Pub. C0., N.Y., 1959 ed.

Smith et al.: J.A.C.S., 82, 1962, pp. 4625-4629.

Bernstein et al.: J.A.C.S., 82, 1960, pp. 3685-3689.

Tanabe et al.: J.A.C.S. 83, Feb. 5, 1961, pp. 756 and 757. 

1. THE PROCESS FOR PREPARING A 17 A-ACYLOXY-21-HYDROXY20-KETO-PREGNANE HAVING AT THE 17-POSITION THE STRUCTURE:
 10. A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF A STEROID COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA: 